to send a bill for the gas/elec/water/etc in return?

[Tinklewinkle]

We live in a popular holiday area and had some friends staying with us for a couple of weeks. They went home on Sunday.

They've always been really good friends, and we've always got on really well, their kids are the same age as ours and get on well too. We've been on holiday with them before and it was fine, although this is the first time they've stayed with us for more than a weekend

Anyway, one evening they'd been out and they rang to see if we needed anything from the shop on their way home. I asked them to grab some milk and a loaf of bread.

When they came in I was given the receipt - for about £2.50. I didn't have any cash in the house so apologised and said I'd sort it out the next day. Then, I'll be honest, completely forgot about it. Nothing more was said until they left on Sunday when they reminded them I owed them the £2.50. I had about 70p in cash in the house so apologised and gave them that.

I got a text this morning to remind me that I still owe the remainder and giving their bank details so I could do a bank transfer.

I've transferred the money as I can't be arsed hearing any more about it, but I think they've got a thunderingly massive bloody cheek.

They've pretty much got a free holiday out of us. They've stayed in our house for free, used water, gas, electricity. They ate breakfast here every morning, we fed them about 50% of evening meals, they used the washing machine and tumble drier, they've had tea, coffee, cold drinks, snacks, etc, etc, so I'm somewhat miffed that they've quibbled about £2.50 and feel like sending them a bill for 2 weeks worth of B&B.

We didn't actually invite them, they wanted to come here and asked if they could stay with us. We nearly always have people staying in the summer holidays, we don't mind in the slightest, we enjoy having guests and are happy to look after them, but I now feel like a mug

[CiderwithBuda]

Dying to here the reply. Hope they are squirming. They prob won't be though.

[hibbleddible]

What did you text?

They have such a brass neck that it would need to be a very explicit text for them to understand!

[Fatmomma99]

what did you say?

On tenterhooks for their reply!

[DartmoorDoughnut]

So glad you text! Can't quite get over their brass neck!

[ICanSeeForMiles]

Not place marking, me, oh no

[Welshmaenad]

I related their behaviour to DH and he said 'she should bill them for b&b!!'. He so needs to join mumsnet.

[ExasperatedAlmostAlways]

Yanbu that Is unbelievable

My dad has friends that live in Spain they always have friends and family staying. They enjoy it but obviously can't afford to constantly be paying for up to 12 guests food etc all the time. so they either ask for cash or they are happy with a weeks food shop and some drink being bought if staying for a week etc.

I'd have to say something to them tbh.

[Tinklewinkle]

I transferred the £1.80 this morning, however, I have to say I am very surprised and actually quite hurt that you have chased me for £1.80 given the fact we welcomed you into our home for 2 weeks. We did not begrudge any of the food/water/etc provided to you so I cannot get my head around being asked to repay £2.50

[bloodyteenagers]

Wow
There's some cheeky fuckers around.
Glad you have piled them up about their behaviour. They wouldn't expect it. Cheeky fuckers never do.

[HackerFucker22]

Hopefully thay shames to cheeky fuckers.

God this thread has made me use the word fuckers a lot!!

[barefootzenhippy]

Blatantly marking place well done on sending the text, cheeky fuckers only do stuff like this because people let them.

[Bullshitbingo]

Your text is perfect. Assertive without being too aggressive. If they apologise and take their heads out of their arses, maybe your friendship can be salvaged?

[nocabbageinmyeye]

Perfect! Cheeky mare, i hope she is hanging her head in shame somewhere

[BloodshotEyes]

Well done, OP. I hope they feel ashamed of themselves when they get that.

Just out of interest, have they mentioned money being tight? Is that why they decided to come to you for their main holiday?

[ExasperatedAlmostAlways]

I'd just reply I have transferred you your 2.50. Im just going to email over your invoice for your stay. Il stick my bank details on it cheers hope you have enjoyed your stay and come again soon.

[BitOutOfPractice]

Oh well done OP. Perfect text. Not aggressive but to the point

[twirlypoo]

Good on you, I would have had to have said something too. I hope they actually send you back a nice reply and something can be saved from this - its just brain boggling behavior!

[DartmoorDoughnut]

Good text OP ... Can't wait to see wtf they say in response though!

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

[NotYouNaanBread]

Waiting on tenterhooks for the reply!

We have just had friends stay with us for a week in our holiday home, but they chipped in with everything and cooked us dinner the evening we stayed in. We know money is tight for them and it costs a lot to get here so we were thrilled to have the company - but there was never any faffing around over small change like that, for the love of God.

[Fatmomma99]

Fabulous text, Tinkle. Well done. I particularly like how you've named the issue and said how you feel about it. It's down to them now on how they choose to respond.

[catsrus]

Blimey!

I live at the seaside and get lots of visits from old friends, it's a constant fight to get them to let me pay for anything when they're here. Whoever does the shop pays for it or we split it. Time to move them from the old friends list to ex-friends list I think!

[GraysAnalogy]

I am so glad you have text them. I get so frustrated at threads like this when the OP does nothing.

[DurhamDurham]

Wouldn't it be wonderful of the parents were on Mumsnet and saw all of the replies to this thread.